32 Hidden Filming Locations Where Movie Magic Was Made

4. Hashima Island, Japan – The Real-Life ‘Skyfall’ Villain’s Lair

Once a bustling coal-mining settlement, Hashima Island—also known as ‘Battleship Island’—now stands abandoned, its crumbling buildings offering a haunting glimpse into the past. This eerie, dystopian landscape was featured in Skyfall as the deserted island lair of James Bond’s villain, Silva. The island’s real-life history adds layers of depth to its on-screen persona. Once home to thousands of miners, it was abruptly abandoned in the 1970s, leaving behind empty concrete structures slowly being reclaimed by nature. This desolation makes it a favorite for films exploring themes of abandonment, apocalypse, and the passage of time.